Communities

The Episcopal Church canonically recognizes 16 traditional orders and 11 Christian communities for men, women, or both. Religious Orders and Communities serve the greater church in several ways. Many offer retreat houses and individual spiritual direction. Each community has a rule of life and is committed to prayer, life in community, and hospitality. The Diocese of Tennessee currently has a number of these orders and communities.

Women are empowered by working collaboratively with women’s organizations, program and ministry groups within and outside the Church, as well as with global and local networks working for gender justice, and individual women compelled to risk transformation – of the world, the church, and their own lives in Christ.

Men’s orders and organizations serve many purposes: social and spiritual, serving in local outreach and committing oneself to the Rule and Constitution of an order.